Planning first trip to Europe - any tips?

[Gandalf]

Make sure you've let your insurance company know.

[T'Onion]

£60 return , via ferrycheap.com , Dover - Calais Departure: Sunday 1 August at 16:50 ,Return Friday 20 August at 17:20

http://www.ferrycheap.com/seafrance-off ... network=af" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[albertramsbottom]

Its a competition

£51 return, Norfolklines at 23:00 out and return Sames days

[Ian Hulley]

2.7mtr hightop LD Lines Dover > Boulogne 7.00am both ways 7th > 24th August £82.50

[horns]

What height vans are these crossings for - I'm curious as to how much difference it makes.

[albertramsbottom]

What height vans are these crossings for - I'm curious as to how much difference it makes.

Mine was for a motorhome more than 1.83 meters high

So I win

[T'Onion]

hahaha , mines over 3m high and over 5m long .motorhome .a couple of us are travelling and one has a poptop 1 adult and 1 kiddie £40 return and same for a high top 1 adult & 1 pigleg .. top trumped

[T'Onion]

What height vans are these crossings for - I'm curious as to how much difference it makes.

It made no difference when we were booking , it went on passengers , ours worked out at £20 each return , as did the other 2 vans

[albertramsbottom]

hahaha , mines over 3m high and over 5m long .motorhome .a couple of us are travelling and one has a poptop 1 adult and 1 kiddie £40 return and same for a high top 1 adult & 1 pigleg .. top trumped

Errrm not sure how I have been trumped there as my quote is for any height over 1.83 meters, so I have decided to take my two story T25 over

Its 14 meters high and still only 51 quid return

[horns]

I certainly seem to be paying more these days with the high-top than back when our euro trips were done with car and tent. I suppose that might be down to the economy being more knackered, though!

[T'Onion]

hehehe , ok you trumped mine , , but Julie and Rob trumped us both at £40 return

[Ralf85]

You will need a compulsory full external bulb set, compulsory reflective jackets for everybody in your van. Continental breakdown cover. Large scale Michelin road atlas (it is the best) and Michelin/AA camping guide books (buy both). If you use electric hook up find as many adaptors as possible as there are a number of different plug types in France. Do not expect to average more than 40 miles per hour on N and D roads. If using faster roads and toll motorways be careful trying to overtake lorries, as French roads tend to go over hills rather than cut through them, so the road incline can be deceptively steep. Finding yourself slowing down into 2nd gear as you lose power going up hill with cars racing up behind you is dangerous. Tip - you may find it safer and less stressful to drop in behind lorries going up hill. Just like at home always carry a spare fanbelt, throttle cable and if applicable, a clutch cable and gaskets for the rocker box covers. Always remind yourself each morning before you move off that you have to drive on the right. Bon voyage! Patrick

[horns]

The All the Aires book is worth having, too -

http://www.vicarious-shop.com/product.p ... t=1&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Gandalf]

The All the Aires book is worth having, too -

http://www.vicarious-shop.com/product.p ... t=1&page=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

They also do an interactive DVD with all the maps and campsites on looked great and easy to use but if you have a MAC then it will not work as its windows only.

[poshbuggers]

Only tip I can give you is to avoid toll roads unless you really have to travel fast across distances at all costs!

We travelled through France last November and the sheer expense of the tolls became quite harrowing.